"Quarantine"-Spreading Fast

Most of us have never been "in quarantine" or known anyone who has had to be isolated from society for health reasons.  The word comes from Latin roughly translated as "quaranta giorni" to Italian, meaning 40 days. The written records of quarantine due to health crisis in the 1300s because of the Bubonic plague also known as the "Black Death"; came from Venice, Italy.  In 2020 Italy is the first European country to quarantine citizens in northern towns and cities due to the COVID 19 or "Corona virus". 

Are quarantines efficacious?   According to epidemiological history...yes, in terms of slowing the spread of infectious diseases.   Isolation needs to be strict and continue for at least three weeks and preferably for over one month.    Yet recent diseases such as Ebola did not seem to be respond to quarantine.  (see article linked)  www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/01/26/799324436/a-history-of-quarantines-from-bubonic-plague-to-typhoid-mary      Many credible scientists and doctors believe this is due to the bio weaponizing of these "viruses".    See my previous post of  February 4, 2020 - "Concealed Carriers-Bioweapons" for more evidence:  www.jopatti.com/blog/concealed-carriersbio-weapons

Another historical epidemiological fact is that the area where I am living currently (but about to exit) Kurdistan, and nearby Iran, have been the sites and pathways for plagues throughout history.  Here is an excerpt from a fascinating National Institute of Health report:  
"In 543 CE, plague reached what is now modern Iran after passing from Italy to Syria, Palestine, and Iraq, and infected the Persian imperial army and the population at that time [28]. In 544 CE, the plague infected the army of the Roman Empire and the army of the Persian Empire at a time when they were at war [29]. In 627 CE, a large epidemic of plague, which led to the death of more than 100,000 people in Ctesiphon, the Sassanian capital, close to Baghdad, was reported. Shortly thereafter, Shiroyeh, the king of Persia, died of plague. 

In the epidemics of 1772-1773 CE in Iran, quarantine practices were introduced into the Persian Gulf region for first time [38]. This outbreak is recorded as one of the most severe epidemics of plague, killing an estimated two million people in Persia (Iran) and Persian-controlled lands to the west. Plague was introduced to Baghdad, today the capital of Iraq, in the winter of 1772 and reached Basra in 1773. The plague killed more than 250,000 people in Basra alone. A thousand deaths were recorded daily, and the disease spread to Bombay, India [38]. Plague also spread southward along the Persian Gulf to Bushehr, expanding over most parts of Persia and reaching Bahrain in 1773 [38]. In 1798, a small outbreak of the plague was recorded in Mosul." 
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5037359/

Both the major cities in Iran-Qom and Tehran-as well as all of Kurdistan and the capital of Iraq, Baghdad-have closed all schools, universities, major sporting centers, cancelled sporting and entertainment events, prohibited flights from China and instituted "health checkpoints" at all major airports and border crossings.  While these are not technically "quarantine measures" yet, it is a concerted effort to decrease public contact and contagion.   However mosques and other religious sites are not closed in Iraq or Iran, meaning millions of people can still potentially be in contact with each other in close proximity-a significant risk factor for the spread of any disease.  As of now, the school and events closure is in effect until March 24, about one month.  For the first time, Friday prayers were suspended in all major cities in Iran on February 28. 2020.

Iran has the highest reported percentage of deaths per infected rate, 16% -including the death of one of Iran's members of parliament as well as the exponentially rising number of cases, Iran's Minister of Health being one case in the international spotlight.  These facts have caused a number of countries to extend travel bans on passengers to and from Iran.
"Now, a tally of figures reported by BBC Persian's sources in several hospitals suggests at least 210 people had died across the country as of Thursday night."
[February 27 2020]  www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51673053
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Although a number of countries including Japan, Italy, South Korea, China and the USA have "quarantine centers" set up and receiving patients with Israel soon to follow, as well as all those countries issuing travel advisories for all their citizens; none of the nearby countries of Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Qatar, the UAE, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan or Armenia have the health infrastructure to handle epidemics or quarantine for large segments of their populations.  Moreover, Turkey in a middle finger move to Europe and the west, just announced a 72 hour open border to Europe for all "refugees" attempting to escape from many of these aforementioned countries.  "Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced he opened Turkey's border with Europe on Saturday — turning a longstanding threat into a reality, AP reports."
This is concerning to those monitoring the spread of this virus. 

"Refugees" waiting for border to open from Turkey into Europe February 2020

Communist countries, theocracies and even democracies have already created legislative provision for "emergency measures including martial law".  According to their governing bodies-declaring a person, a group, a community, a province to be "under quarantine" or a nation to be under "martial law" can be enacted suddenly, within days.   Are you prepared if you or your area is to be quarantined?   Here is one site which has practical recommendations:  www.theorganicprepper.com/how-to-prepare-quarantine/

The other "side effects" of quarantines and the closing of schools, venues and events are the economic repercussions.   Will you be paid if you cannot get to work?  Do you have enough savings to stock up and prepare for over a month?  Do you have adequate health care coverage?  Do you have savings for paying utility bills or off the grid options?  Do you have any medical knowledge to self administer medications/treatment if no doctors are available, or if you cannot get to a clinic?  

I will say that there is a certain irony that Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) including acupuncture do work for strengthening the immune system and on the particular symptoms of this virus.   On this post I display one general remedy with the common name...breathsmooth.   The English pinyin name is:  Ke Chuan Pian.  It is available in most countries via general online shopping and delivery (see below)

In addition, I highly recommend N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) to strengthen your lungs and liver.   This supplement also breaks up mucus, builds up antioxidants and helps boost neurotransmitter activity-some use it to relieve stress and anxiety as well.  Depending on your age, height, weight, age and constitution you can take a lower dosage of 500 mg or a higher dosage of 1,000 mg two or three times per day, from the provider of your choice.   (see pics below) Mega doses of vitamin C are still a top recommendation by millions of doctors/health practitioners.  I suggest stocking up on these - which also have no negative side effects - and if you have to be quarantined in your domicile or elsewhere- remember to take them with you. 
 
With the vast numbers of people and materials/goods transported (COVID 19 is transmittable from surfaces for up to 7 days)-phones, packages, railings, seats, door handles, cash/coins, etc via travel, globalization and logistics routes, it is better to be cautious with best practices in hygiene such as continually washing your hands with soap and keeping alcohol wet wipes, protective/medical gloves and a face mask that can seal properly with you at all times...just in case.   Don't be kissing strangers either, even if it is culturally appropriate for greeting or farewells, as in southern Mediterranean countries.

Never underestimate the power of prayer and meditation.  These are also antidotes to fear, panic and stress which all play havoc with decision making and our immune systems. It is also important to establish a support/communication/comms network-if you don't already have one.  Don't wait until a crisis, have it in place where you are...now.

The former infrastructure in one of the largest cities, Mosul, in this region has been decimated by the siege of Daesh/ISIS.   There are tens of thousands of refugees still living in "camps" and thus most vulnerable to ill health and "pandemics".   Here are some photos taken this week in the Kurdistan region, note the lack of sanitation, paved roads.   That's me after a church service in Ankawa outside of Erbil, KRG.   
 
Closing this week and this part of my life in Iraq, with a photo of me at one of the few Chaldean churches left in this part of the world.   Including a photo of a small memorial that was recently mounted in remembrance of the many Christians and Yezidis who were massacred, tortured and persecuted for their religion by Daesh/ISIS for a number of years here in Iraq, in Syria and elsewhere.   The Islamic extremists haven't stopped their "missions" yet.  We need to remain vigilant.   

In the last 24 hours Turkish and Pegasus airlines have cancelled flights out of and into Iraq.  Like many expats here, when they closed all education venues, schools, universities, training centers, cancelled events and essentially started a "quarantine" until after Newroz, we scrambled to find tickets out. Turkish airlines was the cheaper ticket but I just had to buy another one on Royal Jordanian airlines to make sure I can exit.  You don't want to be away from home during a pandemic, nor in a country where you don't speak the language fluently.  Supplies are being snatched up and price gouging has begun.   rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iran/010320201
There have never been enough competent doctors here.

The USA and other countries are adding Italy, South Korea and Japan to their list of travel warnings-Iraq was already on the list-I don't think it has been off "the list" since 2000. 

A few times in the last ten years I have been working in places where emergencies, war, natural disasters have happened and I found myself praying..."Lord, please don't let me die here..."   I have that same feeling tonight so I found this song which cheered me a bit.  Hope it cheers you.  With my dark sense of humor, I remember "I'm too old to die young now"...and that's the truth as I approach another birthday this month. 

Here is some mighty fine music for ya'll from the band "Brother Dege".   The song is titled: "Too Old to Die Young Now"  www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8VoSM0VrQU  Enjoy.

Still in Kurdistan, dreaming of Texas...
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​Jo